CBP officers intercept parrot smugglers

These baby parrots were seized at the Del Rio International bridge and turned over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Today U.S. Customs and Border Protection sent out probably the most adorable news release I’ve received from them.

Agents working Sunday at the Del Rio International Bridge found two baby parrots in the pockets of a 33-year-old man from Comanche and a third in his backpack, according to the news release. The birds, half mood conures native to Mexico and Central America, are estimated to be less than two months old. Customs agents also found 56 blades of a type that are used in cock fighting, according to a news release. He was fined $2,680.

One of CBP’s tasks is preventing invasive pests and diseases from entering the U.S., according to the news release.

“Our agriculture specialists use their scientific expertise to prevent the introduction of harmful pests and plant diseases into the country,” Del Rio Port Director Michael Perez. “Avian influenza and other avian diseases, such as Exotic Newcastle Disease and parrot fever, can be spread via smuggled birds. Smuggling increases the chance that a communicable bird disease could enter this country.”

The birds were shipped to a U.S. Department of Agriculture quarantine facility in San Diego, a CBP spokesman said.

Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve blogged about law enforcement officials finding exotic animals at the border.